Bendigo TAFE must make a minimum of four contacts per year with the employer to discuss the apprentice’s progress and obtain confirmation from the employer (in writing) that they agree with the Bendigo TAFE assessments of competency which have been conducted. These contacts can be documented in the Training Plan.
If the training is fully workplace based Bendigo TAFE must make four face to face visits per training year, and these must be verified by the signature of the employer/workplace supervisor and apprentice/trainee and dated.
What happens during training delivery?
Who is responsible for ensuring the apprentice is enrolled with Bendigo TAFE and when is enrolment due?
How and when will feedback be given on the competency of the apprentice?
What do I do if the employer hasn’t responded to Bendigo TAFE queries about an assessment decision after the agreed time has elapsed?
What do I have to do if I am a host employer for a group training organisation (GTO)?
What rules apply if I am delivering a competency based apprenticeship program fully in the workplace?
What information is available to help me?
Does Bendigo TAFE have to obtain employer confirmation of competency where the training and assessment of a module/unit was fully undertaken at Bendigo TAFE via simulations?
How will competency be assessed?
Do Bendigo TAFE need to chase a previous employer to get their sign off?
Do Bendigo TAFE need to confirm competence of the apprentice with the employer if the apprentice undergoes recognition of prior learning (RPL) or credit transfer into the trade qualification?
Bendigo TAFE is required to make a minimum of four contacts per year with the employer to discuss the Apprentice/Trainee’s progress against the training plan; and obtain employer confirmation in writing that they agree with any Bendigo TAFE assessments of competency which have been conducted.
- If the employer is a Group Training Organisation (GTO), final sign-off must be from the GTO, not the host employee;
- Provide training in the Approved Training Scheme nominated on the Training Contract to full time or part time Apprentices/Trainees;
- Make all reasonable provisions for the Apprentice/Trainee to achieve all competencies required for the Structured Training identified in the Approved Training Scheme within the nominal duration of the Training Contract;
- Advise the Apprentice/Trainee and their employer, that an application for an extension to the term of the Training Contract must be made if they are unable to complete the Structured Training prior to the nominal completion date of the Training Contract (this application should be lodged via the relevant Australian Apprenticeship Centre (AAC).
The employer is responsible – and has three months after the date of commencement of the Training Contract to ensure the apprentice is enrolled at Bendigo TAFE. How and when will feedback be given on the competency of the apprentice?
Bendigo TAFE must contact the employer a minimum of four times per year to provide information on the progress of the apprentice and/or seek confirmation of their competence.
The employer will be asked to confirm the competency of the apprentice against a units of competency. The final confirmation from the employer must be provided in writing from the employer and confirm that the employer understands that their confirmation of the final competencies will end the apprenticeship. Assessments during training are provided by Bendigo TAFE.
The GTO is responsible for providing confirmation of workplace performance of the apprentice. To do this they will need to discuss the performance of their apprentice with their host employers. This arrangement needs to be confirmed as part of the Training Plan discussion at the start of the apprenticeship.
When Bendigo TAFE is providing fully workplace based delivery of apprenticeships they are required to follow the rules for competency based completion and for fully workplace based programs. This means making monthly contacts, including at least four face to face visits per year with the employer and apprentice. Any of these visits/contacts can be used to meet the requirement of four contacts per year for feedback concerning the apprentice’s progress for competency based completion purposes.
Skills Victoria have a number of useful documents available that outline how apprenticeships work. These include:
A Guide to Apprenticeships and Traineeships - Fifth Edition (PDF 1.6 MB) Read this comprehensive guide to undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship in Victoria.
A range of industry specific booklets.
Industry Associations may have documentation available to employers and apprentices. Australian Apprenticeship Centres are able to supply an employer booklet that explains apprenticeship arrangements. Bendigo TAFE have work log books that assist the apprentice and the employer document the apprentice’s progress in the workplace.
No. In this case the employer is not required to provide confirmation of competency as they do not cover these work activities.
The Training Plan details the expectations of where the training for each unit of competence within the apprentice’s qualification will take place.
If a workplace cannot provide training on the job for a unit of competence then the Training Plan should show that the unit will be delivered and assessed in a simulated setting at Bendigo TAFE.
Competency can be assessed by the Bendigo TAFE in a variety of ways including a mix of practical exercises, work observation and theoretical tests.
It is critical that employers also consider how and when they will provide the apprentice with the opportunity to demonstrate their competence in the workplace.
Maybe. If an apprentice changes employer, but stays with Bendigo TAFE then we will have to obtain confirmation of competence from the previous employer if the apprentice is seeking credit transfers for skills already achieved and recognised by a previous training provider.
However, if the apprentice changes employer and training provider, the new RTO will not have to obtain confirmation of competence from the previous employer.
Changing employers and training provider during an apprenticeship will require a new Training Contract to be developed. As part of this process an Apprenticeship Field Officer will contact the employer and apprentice to help ensure that the new arrangements are suitable to meet the apprentice’s skill needs to achieve the competencies for the qualification.
In the case of a credit transfer there is no requirement to seek confirmation of competency from the previous employer as this should have been undertaken by a previous training provider.
However, employer confirmation of competency is required for RPL because this is an assessment conducted by Bendigo TAFE within an apprenticeship.
Both credit transfer and RPL assessment should be discussed between Bendigo TAFE, employer and apprentice in developing the Training Plan.